Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-23

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Wednesday, 23 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Greek FM meets with UN Special Adviser on Cyprus
• [02] Cyprus Foreign Minister in Prague for Laeken Group meeting
• [03] Cyprus signs technology agreement with Albany University
• [04] Cyprus preferred by Europeans for EU accession

[01] Greek FM meets with UN Special Adviser on Cyprus

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated that the present phase was very important as regards developments for Cyprus, as its EU accession course was drawing to a close, and expressed hope that the "small window of opportunity" which remains until the Copenhagen European Council would allow all parties to cooperate for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Papandreou added that a solution to the Cyprus issue would have to be viable, workable and according to UN decisions and EU norms, and provide for a "democratic state, able to take decisions within the EU and apply them in their entirety, over the whole of Cyprus".

He also expressed the Greek Government's willingness to assist the efforts for finding a solution prior to Copenhagen, which was the "most preferable option for all", reiterating, at the same time, that according to the relevant Helsinki conclusions, a solution was not a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the Union.

The UN Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr. de Soto, stressed the Secretary- General's continuous efforts for maintaining the dialogue between the two sides and finding a comprehensive and binding solution, based on the relevant UN resolutions.

Mr. de Soto conveyed the view that such a solution was feasible, provided that the direct talks between President Clerides and Mr. Denktash continued, after the latter's recovery.

He also underlined the important role of the Greek Government in the Cyprus' peace process and said he would continue his talks with Athens on the matter.

[02] Cyprus Foreign Minister in Prague for Laeken Group meeting

Speaking to the press prior to his departure for the Czech capital, at Larnaca airport, Mr. Kasoulides said that there were a number of issues to be discussed at the meeting, in order for a joint approach to be adopted vis-a-vis problems that might arise in the road ahead.

Mr. Kasoulides also made reference to the Irish referendum, whose results, he said, were "very significant" to the enlargement process, as they paved the way for the enlargement to take place.

As regards challenges in the enlargement process, the Cyprus FM mentioned the unstable political situation in the Netherlands, following the resignation of the Dutch government, saying that it would be under kept close monitoring.

Invited to comment on the Turkish threats to annex the occupied areas if Cyprus accedes to the European Union, Mr. Kasoulides noted that Turkey seemed to have backed down from its threats, adding that Ankara now referred to "a sort of link between the occupied areas and Turkey, which is not the same as annexation". At the same time, he pledged the Cyprus Government's determination not to accept this passively, underlining that "Turkish threats cannot impede Cyprus' accession course".

Asked whether the submission of a solution plan on the eve of Cyprus' accession to the EU could be seen as "blackmail", he stressed that the Cyprus Government fervently wanted the Cyprus problem to be resolved and would keep up its efforts for reaching a solution.

''We will pursue a solution of the Cyprus problem, even until the last day of the EU Copenhagen Summit and surely after Copenhagen for as long as it takes, until the problem is solved. Whether this is seen as blackmail or not, it is up to us not to give in to any blackmail,'' he concluded.

[03] Cyprus signs technology agreement with Albany University

The Cyprus Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr. Nicos Rolandis, who signed the agreement - on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus - with the President of Albany University Ms. Karen Hitchcock, said it was a "historic day" for Cyprus as it created "bridges of communication" with the most technologically-advanced country in the world and one of the most distinguished universities in the world in the field of technology. He also said that the agreement was part of the Government's efforts to promote high technology in Cyprus.

On her turn, the President of the institution, Ms. Hitchcock, said she was pleased with the signing of the agreement, noting that the University was committed to cooperating with the Republic of Cyprus in the field of technology and that it would promote that cooperation in the best possible way.

The agreement provides for, inter alia, the establishment of closer links with Cypriot institutions of higher education for the promotion of high technology in Cyprus, the identification of scholars that may be interested in research on high-tech issues in Cyprus and assistance in identifying inventors that may be interested in incubating their ideas in Cyprus.

[04] Cyprus preferred by Europeans for EU accession

In particular, 43% of approximately 16,000 respondents support Cyprus' accession to the European Union, 34% are against and 23% did not express an opinion. The percentage of support is especially high, given that no candidate country had gathered more than 48% in its favour.

Cyprus, with 43%, is in the fourth position as regards preference among EU citizens, along with the Czech Republic. At the top of the list is Hungary with 48%, followed by Malta with 47% and Poland with 44%. Turkey is at the bottom of the list, with 31% of respondents being in favour of and 47% against its joining the EU.

In general, the survey found that half of all respondents in the EU (50%) supported enlargement. More than half of all respondents thought that enlargement would guarantee peace and security in Europe (53%), and increase the importance of the European Union in the world (63%).

More information on the particular Eurobarometer survey can be found at the European Union's official website at .

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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